Fame Beckoned/The Nearly Men: Henry Padovani – The Police

Henry Padovani was the original lead guitarist with The Police. Having met drummer Stuart Copeland after one of Curved Air’s final concerts, the pair agreed to form a punk band and along with Sting on bass and lead vocals the trio recorded a single “Fall Out/Nothing Achieving” in February 1977.

Apparently unhappy with Padovani’s guitar skills, Sting introduced Andy Summers to the band shortly after, and following a short period as a four piece, Copeland requested Padovani leave in August 1977.

Just five months later, The Police would record “Roxanne” and in less than a year would become one of the biggest bands in the U.K.